2005 Sonata Coolant Leak
 

Hi All,

I noticed my heater stopped blowing hot air this morning so I checked the dash board for any warning. The car temperature rose past the halfway mark after 5 minutes in the car.

I checked the coolant level and it was very low so I filled up the reservoir and drove the car around the block. The temp went back up again so I parked the car and looked underneath it. Coolant is dripping under the passenger's side.

I've been doing research and found it could be anything from a cracked hose to a cracked expansion reservoir, or even worse: water pump or radiator.

My question is what is likely the problem since it's under the passenger side? Isn't the water pump on the right side (driver side)? Also, if it is the water pump, is this the type of car where all the timing belt parts have to come off to replace?

Thanks so much for your help with this. Lemme know what you think?

If you're in America, the passenger side is the right side. Right and left are determined from the view from the drivers seat, not while standing at the front of the car looking at the engine. And yes, the water pump is on the passenger (right) side. Yes, the timing belt will have to be removed to change the water pump.

Agreed^... you have to find the leak to determine what needs to be replaced. You may want to have a pressure test performed if you cannot figure it out with the naked eye.

You need to pressure test the cooling system. Pressure test will locat the leak. Sometimes the radiator cap is shot and coolant will leak there. A pressure test will show you were leak is.